2023 Event Trends Nonprofits Need to Know About

As nonprofit organizations continue to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of fundraising and community engagement, staying up-to-date with the latest event trends is crucial. In 2023, the world of events is poised to undergo exciting evolutions that can greatly benefit nonprofits. Let’s explore the top event trends that nonprofit and fundraising professionals need to know about to drive their organizations forward and create meaningful impact.

1. The Ebb & Flow of Events Types

Virtual and hybrid events became a necessity during the pandemic, and they’re not going anyway. But face-to-face events are more popular than ever! How does this change event planning and programming? Organizations need to carefully consider each delivery method – in-person, virtual, and hybrid – its benefits and how its unique offerings fit with each event’s goals and audiences.

• You can leverage virtual platforms to engage digital-first learners, eliminate geographical barriers, mitigate financial barriers, and involve supporters in convenient ways.
• In-person events leverage all the senses to create a connection between an organization and its audience members that is highly personal. Bringing audiences together in-person and truly helping them learn, grow, and connect with other humans is memorable and makes them part of a community.
• Hybrid events, while usually the most expensive option, offer the option of either, balancing the needs of those who want physical interactions and those who need digital accessibility, providing organizations and their guests with the best of both worlds.

2. Rising Costs

There’s no way around it – event costs have gone up. Food, AV, venue rates, digital tools, labor rates, travel expenses, speaker fees, and more. The events and hospitality industries frequently see societal trends more acutely, and the rising costs of goods and services are even more challenging when scaled for groups. But don’t despair! Thoughtful and purposeful event design, program strategy, and overall event strategy can play big parts in helping mitigate increased expenses and the impact on attendees. Addressing these elements only works with adequate planning, real partnership with event venues and vendors, creativity, and flexibility. Groups hosting events of all sizes would be wise to give thought to how event programmatic elements drive logistic choices, and vice versa.

• For example, if you opt for a hybrid event, is the Wi-Fi bandwidth included in your venue contract enough, or do you need to supplement?
• And does your stage design allow for presenters to easily receive questions or dialogue from the online audience?
• Or, if your presenters plan an interactive exercise mid-day, does the hotel have capacity/ability to flip the room, or will you need to pay for a full day labor union call?

Any budget lines for “volatile” elements should add a percentage of contingency funds. And of course, an integrated siting strategy can and should be leveraged to offset such cost increases.

3. Experiential Fundraising

In 2023, nonprofits are increasingly focused on creating immersive and experiential fundraising events.  Looking beyond traditional galas and banquets can help you reach new donors. Development professionals should explore unique event concepts that allow attendees to actively participate and emotionally connect with the cause. Interactive installations, immersive storytelling, gamification, and VIP experiences are just a few examples of experiential fundraising approaches that can leave a lasting impact on donors and build relationships for the future. Think about what unique things would be attractive to your donor prospects: a competition, a behind the scenes tour, learning a new skill like wine tasting, exposure to a VIP speaker or community member, an opportunity to experience the impact of your work, and more. Bonus tip: Take note – many of the same lessons can be applied on the sponsorship side, too.

4. Sustainability and Environmental Efforts

As sustainability and social responsibility gain prominence across various industries, look to integrate these principles into your events. Audiences have greater awareness of environmental impact than ever before and are more in-tune with industry-specific efforts. Embracing eco-friendly practices, reducing waste, and promoting ethical sourcing are a few ways to showcase an organization's commitment to making a positive environmental and social impact. According to the American Express Meeting & Events’ 2023 Global Meetings & Events Forecast, four out of five event managers surveyed reported that their organizations take sustainability into account when planning their events. It can be especially productive (and meaningful!) to collaborate locally in your event’s host communities to offset the impact of the event where it occurs. Incorporating sustainability goals and communicating them to attendees are no longer nice-to-haves – they’re business standard and they must be incorporated into your event strategy. Thankfully, nonprofits can expect members of their communities to be appreciative and excited for these efforts, growing and deepening the connection to the organization.

5. Personalization and Customization

In an era of personalized experiences, nonprofit events should be tailored to cater to individual preferences. Customized event journeys, personalized communications, and targeted experiences can enhance attendee engagement and foster long-term relationships with donors. Diverse programs that allow for personalized professional development options, content that meets different needs, and networking and social activities that cater to the full breadth and depth of an audience pool will all be evaluated when prospective attendees consider whether to attend or not.

Some considerations: 

• How do extroverts vs. introverts navigate your event?
• Are there ways for attendees to self-direct their experience onsite? What choices do they have?
• What inclusion and belonging measures does your event strategy integrate to each event?

Leveraging data and technology tools, gather insights to better understand supporters and deliver personalized event experiences that resonate on a deeper level. To facilitate new technology bells and whistles, event Wi-Fi bandwidth needs must be carefully planned.

Conclusion:

Incorporating the latest event trends into your event strategy is crucial for nonprofits looking to maximize their events’ impact. Embracing a variety of event models, strategizing to mitigate expense increases, incorporating experiential and personalized engagement elements, and adopting sustainable practices are all key strategies for success in 2023. Being proactive and adaptable in adopting these trends will not only ensure the success of your events but also strengthen your organization's position as a leader in its space. You can elevate your events, engage supporters more effectively, and drive positive change in the communities you support. Don’t just navigate today’s dynamic event landscape, thrive.

About the Author:

Heidi Souerwine, CMP, is an event strategist and owner of Bayside Creative Consulting. She helps nonprofits and companies evaluate events and create modern event strategies to ensure their events work for them as much as they should. She draws on 20 years of experience leading events for international nonprofits and associations and recently served as the executive director of the American Society of Administrative Professionals. Heidi is passionate about purposeful event design, modern event strategy, needs-driven programs, and cultivating active community and engagement. Bayside Creative Consulting offers MANP members 20% off consulting services.